PROCEEDINGS 


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AT THE 




SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY 


OF THE 



AMERICAN SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. 


WITH THE 


ADDRESSES 



OF 


MESSRS. REESE, COOKMAN AND TAPPAN. 







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AMERICAN SUNDAY SCHOOL, UNION, 


No. 146 Chesuut Street. 


1831 








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PROCEEDINGS 


AT THE 

SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY. 

The services of the seventh anniversary of the 
American Sunday School Union were attended, in 
compliance with the provision of the constitution, 
May 24, 1831. 

The chair was taken by the President of the Board 
at four o’clock. 

The blessing of God was then implored by Rev, 
Mr, Perry , of the Baptist Church, Philadelphia; 
after which the following hymn, written for the oc- 
casion, by Rev. William Augustas Muhlenberg , 
was sung to music composed by W. Norris, Jun. 

O God ! though throned in glory, 

Mid heaven’s angelic throngs, 

Casting their crowns before thee, 

With everlasting songs; 

Thy goodness yet rejoices 

Love’s humblest notes to hear; 

May then our feeble voices 
Attract thy gracious ear. 

Accept our adoration, 

That, breathing freedom’s air. 


Our lot is in a nation 

Which knows thy guardian care; 
That round us vale and mountain 
With smiling plenty teem; 

That knowledge pours its fountain 
And truth its hallowed stream. 

Mercies, like manna, falling 
With every morning’s dew; 

Mid all, thy gospel calling 
To joys forever new. 

O who, of all the living, 

More grateful hymns should raise 
Then be each word thanksgiving, 
And every action praise. 

And let thy grace descending 
Not on our hearts in vain, 

But, with each purpose blending, 
Ascend in love again 
To Thee, whose breath, as showers 
Of spring, renew the earth, 
Awakes to glorious flowers 
The seed of heavenly birth. 

The fulness of thy favour 
Pour down on them, we pray, 
Who to thy fold, O Saviour, 
Restore us when we stray; 

Their works rewarded double, 

O let them prove thy love; 

Their sun and shield in trouble, 
Their crown of life above. 


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Still be thy gospel spreading 
Abroad its wings of light, 

Wherever man is treading 
The paths of death and night; 

From nation on .to nation 
Extend its righteous sway, 

Till the last desolation 
Of sin be swept away. 

The report of the annual receipts and expendi- 
tures was read by the Treasurer of the Society, 
Paul Beck, jun. 

Extracts from the annual report of the transac- 
tions of the Board were read by one of the Secreta- 
ries. 

The following resolutions were then moved, se- 
conded and adopted, viz. 

By Rev. Dr. Livingston , of the Reformed Dutch 
Church, Philadelphia, seconded by Judge Darling , 
of Berks county, (Pa.) 

Resolved , That the annual report of the Board be 
accepted and published. 

Dr. Reese , of the Methodist church, (New York,) 
introduced the following resolution, which was se- 
conded by Rev. Mr. Cookman , of the same church, 
(Philadelphia.) 

Resolved , That while it is still the object and de- 
sire of the American Sunday School Union to con- 
centrate the efforts of the friends of Sunday Schools, 
in support of the broad and catholic principles 
which govern our plans and proceedings, we look 


6 


with the most friendly feelings on the exertions and 
success of those who are prosecuting the same be- 
nevolent enterprise, under whatever name or con- 
nexion of evangelical Christians. 

Mr. Lewis Tappan , of New York, proposed the 
following resolution, which was seconded by Rev . 
Mr . Ridgely, of the Episcopal Church, Bristol, 
(Pa.) 

Resolved , That the safety of our country depends 
upon the universal religious education of the people, 
and that in this view, it is a matter of deep interest 
to every citizen, that all our children and youth 
should be brought at once under* the influence of 
Sunday School instruction. 

By the Rev . Mr . Sanford , of Philadelphia, se- 
conded by Rev. Mr. Ashton , of the Baptist Church, 
Philadelphia, 

Resolved , That while the friends of Sunday 
Schools have reason to bless God for any measure of 
success, they are called upon by the signal events of 
Divine Providence, by the promises of God’s word, 
and the dispensations of his grace, to labour more di- 
ligently and directly, in reliance upon the Holy Spi- 
rit, for the salvation of souls, and for the conversion 
of the world unto God. 

The following original hymn, written by the same 
Rev. gentleman, was then sung by the children. 

Father, once more let grateful praise 
And humble prayer to thee ascend; 


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Thou Guide and Guardian of our ways: 
Our first and last, our only Friend. 

Since every day and hour that ’s gone « 
Has been with mercy richly crown’d, 

Mercy, we know, shall still flow on, 
Ceaseless and sure, as time rolls round. 

Our pilgrimage, by thee decreed, 

Glad we’ll pursue, nor ask to roam; 

Let but the fiery pillar lead, 

And Canaan be, at last, our home. 

Hear, then, the farewell prayers we pour, 
Binding our hearts in love alone : 

For in one band we’ll meet no more, 

Till gather’d round thy judgment-throne. 


ADDRESS 


OF 

DR. DAVID M. REESE. 

Mr. President: — 

It affords me high gratification to participate with 
you in the hallowed services of this anniversary, and I 
cannot withhold the expression of the great satisfaction 
I have derived from listening to the able and truly 
evangelical report which has just been read. The reso- 
lution to adopt and print it will, I hope, be speedily 
executed, for it ought to be circulated throughout 
this land. I regard it as worthy of this great cause, 
and honourable to the society, and its publication 
cannot fail to be extensively useful. 

In the name of your institution there appears to 
my mind a charm which seems to comprise every 
thing dear, and sacred, and animating to the heart 
of the patriot and the Christian, and one which ought 
to disarm criticism and opposition. It seems to imply 
that our country’s liberty, and our country’s pros- 
perity, and our country’s happiness, are the objects 
at which you aim; while the “ Union” of physical 
and moral energies which your very name proclaims, 
denotes the strength of a Hercules ; and this arrayed 
under the banner of religious education of the Sab- 
bath, under the Captain of our salvation, who is the 
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Lord of the Sabbath, must be invincible, though a 
host were encamped against you. 

Sir, the success of the Sabbath School cause, and 
its ultimate triumph, are no longer doubtful. Time 
has been when your motives were impugned by men 
high r in authority ; nay, more, sir, when the legisla- 
tive hall and the political press of the nation de- 
nounced this cause in theory and practice, and dis- 
covered, or feigned to discover, conspiracy, disloy- 
alty, and treason itself in your labours. But while 
you have been pursuing the even tenor of your way, 
and like dying Stephen, amidst a shower of stones, 
only prayed, “ Lord, lay not this sin to their charge,” 
or like your div^rhe Master, “ Father, forgive them, 
they know not what they do,” behold the marvellous 
result! Already, venerable sir, you have lived to 
witness the triumph of the cause over all its open 
and avowed foes, and the fulfilment of the sacred 
word, “If a man’s ways please the Lord, he will 
make even his enemies to be at peace with him.” 
That tongue that would anathematize your labours 
now, would be silenced by the holy clamour of hun- 
dreds of thousands of infant voices crying, “ Ho- 
sanna to the Son of David.” That press which 
would now calumniate the motives of Sabbath School 
teachers, or utter a syllable against your hallow- 
ed efforts, would be frowned into annihilation by 
the holy indignation which would burst forth from 
every parent in the nation. The man is not to be 


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dren congregated every Sabbath in our schools, and 
thousands of them so remote and desolate that your 
agents and your missionaries have not penetrated 
within hundreds of miles of their lonely habitation. 
Are we then not auxiliaries in fact though not in 
name P May we not say then, in the language of the 
ancient father of the faithful, “Let there he no strife, 
I pray thee, between me and thee, between my 
herdmen and thy herdmen, for we be brethren .” 
The whole land is before us. Go on then and pros- 
per. Go on, and we will help you. Our cause, our 
interests, and our objects are identical, so long as we 
adhere to our professed object, that of multiplying 
Sunday Schools. There is room enough in this 
world of sin and sinners for us both, for all our zeal, 
liberality, and combined energies. Let us then “see 
that we fall not out by the way.” Again I say, go 
on, in the name of the Lord. Go on, and we will 
help you; and may God grant that your zeal and 
success may abound yet more and more. 

With this brief expression of the sentiments of my 
heart, I take great pleasure in presenting the resolu- 
tion committed to me, a resolution in perfect accord- 
ance with my own views, and with those expressed 
in your able and evangelical report, and one which, 
I feel assured, will meet the hearty approbation of 
this respectable meeting. 

Resolved , That while it is still the object and 
desire of the American Sunday School Union to con- 


16 


centrate the efforts of the friends of Sunday Schools, 
in support of the broad and catholic principles which 
govern our plans and proceedings, we look with the 
most friendly feelings on the exertions and success 
of those who are prosecuting the same benevolent en- 
terprise under whatever name or connexion of evan- 
gelical Christians. 


ADDRESS 


OF 

THE REV. G. G. COOKMAN. 

Mr. President, — 

I rise, sir, to second the resolution now offered by 
my respected brother; — a resolution which I not 
only hold in my hand, but the sentiments of which I 
have treasured up in my heart. This resolution 
holds out the olive branch of friendship to those 
kindred Sabbath School unions, which, although not 
immediately connected with that over which you, sir, 
have the honour to preside ; are yet directly engaged 
in the same high and holy cause : whilst at the same 
time it brings into full review those broad and libe- 
ral principles on which this American Sunday-School 
Union is founded, and on which I trust it will stand 
to the end of time. 

Sir, I had not this morning the remotest intention 
of addressing this meeting. Indeed, sir, you know 
that 1 had declined the honourable invitation of your 
board some days ago ; but when I was informed by 
my respected brother, that this resolution was to be 
submitted in the course of this day, I dared no long- 
er to refuse ; for, sir, if I forget the noble and mag- 
nanimous principles herein identified, let my right 
hand forget her cunning, let my tongue cleave to the 
roof of my mouth. 

However, sir, as I feel myself utterly unprepared 
3 


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to make a speech on the occasion, perhaps you will 
indulge me in attempting to mould and present my 
views in the form of a little allegory. 

Once upon a time, it so happened in your city of 
brotherly love, that a certain widow lady, with a 
large family of little daughters, were cast' upon the 
protection of Providence, and the compassion of the 
public. How to provide for the temporal wants of 
her little household, or how to furnish the means of a 
suitable education, were subjects which pressed with 
weighty anxiety upon her maternal and alfectionate 
heart. At length it was suggested by a few friends, 
that if she could open a little bookstore in one of 
the principal streets of your city, and in connexion 
with this, superintend a small school, she might pos- 
sibly make provision for the family, and accomplish 
the education of her daughters. This lady, sir, be- 
ing possessed of fine talents, both natural and acquir- 
ed, entered into the proposed enterprise, and suc- 
ceeded at once beyond her utmost calculation, or 
even the sanguine expectations of her friends. Her 
high character secured her friends 5 her talents se- 
cured her pupils, whilst her sincere and ardent pie- 
ty threw all around her little establishment a bright 
and soul -animating attraction. Thus, sir, being a 
woman of strong calculation, keen penetration, and 
comprehensive views, she speedily increased her ca- 
pital, enlarged her establishment, extended her busi- 
ness, strengthened her connexions, until finally, in 
the very centre of your beautiful city, she erected 


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a spacious and commodious building to^answer and 
accommodate the claims of her growing and multi- 
farious concern. Never, sir, did your good city 
possess a lady who maintained so high a place in 
public estimation. Her praise was in all the church- 
es, and the report of her fame travelled to the re- 
motest bounds of the republic. In the mean time, 
sir, her lovely daughters arrived to years of maturi- 
ty. Never were the benefits of a systematic reli- 
gious education more happily illustrated than in 
these young ladies. They were the fac simile, the 
very image of their honoured parent, inheriting her 
talents, breathing her spirit, emulating her practical 
piety, and walking in her footsteps. 

But the time had now arrived, when it became 
the positive duty of the old lady to make suitable 
settlements for her daughters, and establish them for 
life. And having trained them under her own eye, 
and having the utmost confidence in their principles, 
she placed them in similar establishments to her own 
— one in New York, another in Baltimore, a third 
in Ohio, and so on. 

In this view, I am quite certain that it will create 
no surprise in your mind, sir, when I announce to 
this meeting, that these good daughters (as good 
daughters generally will) obtained good husbands . 
They married well and honourably — one into the 
Presbyterian family, a second into the Baptist fami- 
ly, a third into the Protestant Episcopal family, a 


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fourth into the Methodist family, a fifth into the so- 
ciety of Friends. 

For some time the old lady was enabled to rojoice 
in the blessings of a good Providence, and the grow- 
ing prosperity of her family. But, sir, man, and I 
suppose woman too, is born to trouble, as the sparks 
fly upward. Every family has its troubles. The 
old lady had her share. After a lapse of time, 
strange rumours floated through the country. Some 
said the old lady was getting too rich, and was amass- 
ing in secret immense sums of money, by which she 
would, at some future time, completely run down 
the establishments of her daughters. Others thought 
that the old lady was too fond of power, and grave- 
ly predicted that if she were not kept in check, she 
would endanger the liberties of this promising re- 
public. Women had been ambitious in past ages, 
and who knew but she might at this very moment be 
aspiring to the presidential chair, and like another 
Elizabeth, grasp the helm of the state? A third 
class of reporters thought her vastly too sectarian $ — 
it was hinted she went too often to the Presbyterian 
church. One thought she had too little religion, a 
second thought she had too much, and some advised 
her, as a wise woman, to let religion alone altoge- 
ther. 

These numerous whisperings troubled the old lady 
in Philadelphia. She determined on a decisive move- 
ment, and to bring the matter to an issue. Accord- 
ingly, she despatched expresses, and summoned her 


21 


daughters before her, to, whom she addressed her- 
self in the following language : 

My dear daughters, — I have called you together 
to relieve your minds and my own in reference to 
the mutual understanding wnich ought to subsist, 
and has hitherto subsisted among us as one family. 

You can recollect the period when we lived in the 
little bookstore, when we were cast upon the com- 
passion of Providence, 2tnd the patronage of the pub- 
lic. You recollect the principles on which we set 
out, and the course we have pursued ; heaven has 
blessed our labours, and God has spared me to see 
my dear family happy and prosperous. Yet remem- 
ber, my children, although some change has taken 
place in our outward circumstances, you have marri- 
ed, and with your families are settled ; — yet I trust 
you are determined to maintain the same sound prin- 
ciples, and the same friendly feeling as at first. Re- 
member, I am your mother still $ and let no idle re- 
ports disturb the harmony of the family. You know 
I exercise no control over your establishments. Ma- 
nage your own concerns in your own way. All that 
I have is yours, and is reserved for the common be- 
nefit of you all, without respect of persons. Let us 
live in peace. If you wish to bring my grey hairs 
with sorrow to the grave, then listen to idle reports 
and renounce me. But let me rather have your con- 
fidence, your love ; then will I die like good old Si- 
meon, saying, ‘Now, Lord, lettest thou thy servant 
depart in peace. 1 She ceased ; her daughters melt- 


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ed into tears, rushed into her embrace, crying, 66 O 
mother, live for ever.” 

Sir, I leave the moral of this little allegory to the 
good sense of this meeting, and the application there- 
of to men of honest hearts. As I stand upon this 
platform, and look around upon this vast assemblage, 
permit me to say, in the words of the Psalmist, 
“ mercy and truth are met together, righteousness 
and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring 
out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down 
from heaven.” 




REMARKS OF MR. LEWIS TAPPAN, 

In Support of a Resolution offered by him . 

Mr. Tappan stated that the duty assigned him on 
that occasion was to olfer and support the following 
resolution : 

Resolved , That the safety of our country depends 
upon the universal religious education of the people, 
and that in this view it is a matter of deep interest 
to every citizen, that children and youth should be 
brought at once under the influence of Sunday 
School instruction. 

Mr. T. remarked, in substance, that he did not 
expect that -every person present was prepared to 


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assent to this proposition. It was probable that the 
assembly, like the country at large, was divided on 
this subject in three parties. One class believe that 
the universal diffusion of education, of some sort, is 
of primary importance. Another class, while they 
fully assent to this truth, go a step farther, and are 
of opinion that upon the religions education of the 
people depends the preservation of our civil and re- 
ligious institutions ; whilst another class agreeing in 
both these statements, proceed farther still, and think 
that if a Sabbath School is not established and sup- 
ported in every destitute place in the country, with 
humble dependence on God, the blood of souls will 
be found in the skirts of Christians of the present 
day, at the judgment bar of Christ. 

Mr. T. said he should leave to other men, and to 
other occasions, the inquiry how far the patriot and 
nominal Christians act out the principles by them 
respectively avowed. His object would be to address 
those who called themselves, or wished to be ranked 
vfiXhzvarm and devoted Christians ; and the inquiry 
he proposed to make was, how far they act with re- 
ference to their acknowledged principles, and in 
view of their high responsibility to God. In the 
first place, said he, how do professors of religion act, 
in common with mere men of the world, in secular 
matters? Suppose news should arrive this day, in 
this city, that an important modification of a foreign 
tariff had been made, or that there was a great 
scarcity of bread stuffs abroad, or that a revolution or 


24 


war had broken out in some distant country, or that 
a great demand existed for mechanical labour or pro- 
fessional services, so that the produce, and labour, 
and skill of this country were more than ever put in 
requisition, how would the intelligence fly through 
the land. Expresses would be sent in every direc- 
tion — a thrilling interest would be felt far and near — 
the whole people would be aroused to action. The 
machinery in our manufactories would be driven day 
and night — our flour mills would move with unwont- 
ed rapidity — every farmer, and mechanic, and mer- 
chant in the United States would feel the spirit of 
industry and speculation — our artisans would think 
of embarking, and even our professional men might 
be induced to leave comfortable or lucrative situa- 
tions to participate in the profit and honours expect- 
ed from a generous appreciation of services. 

Now, said Mr. T., have we not heard to-day that 
a demand, great and urgent, does exist for the bread 
of life, for the produce and talents of this religious 
community, for Bibles, Testaments, Sunday School 
books, for teachers and ministers? Do any doubt 
the fact? Let me point them to the moral statistics 
of one portion of the country, as evidence of the 
dearth that exists in every part. Some individuals 
have recently explored a part of the ninth ward in 
the city of New York, taking a sort of spiritual cen- 
sus, and have thus brought to view a state of things 
calculated to astonish and alarm even those who 
thought they had taken the gauge of ignorance and 


25 


misery. In about a third of that ward, comprising 
a district of 1311 families, the following facts were 
ascertained. 

Adults, white and coloured, who cannot read, 180 
Families without Bibles, - 154 

Number of families who have no regular place 

of worship, - 470 

Number of children that do not attend Sun- 
day-schools, 838 

Number of children that do not attend any 
school, 510 

The above district contains a population about equal 
to a twenty-seventh part of the city of New York. If 
the whole city averages equally destitute, the result 
is, that there are in it 4,800 adults who cannot read ; 
4,158 families destitute of the Scriptures; 11,340 
families who do not have a place of public worship ; 
22,626 children, of suitable age, that do not attend 
Sabbath School ; and 13,770 children that do not at- 
tend any school whatever. In some particulars, Mr. 
T. observed, it is probable such an average for New 
York would exceed the truth, while in others it falls 
short of the actual state of things ; but when it is 
considered that in Philadelphia it has been ascertain- 
ed that only one half of the children and youth at- 
tend upon Sabbath School instruction, and that in 
the Valley of the Mississippi, and elsewhere, greater 
destitution exists in all the above particulars, it may 
fairly be presumed that the several statistics of the 
whole country, could they be ascertained, would 
4 


26 


present a picture at least as appalling as the conjec- 
tural average above made for the city of New York. 

Having shown, Mr. T. remarked, that a moral 
and religious demand actually exists ii* this country, 
equal in all respects to the demand that foreign re- 
volutions or changes could occasion for the produce 
and labour of this country, he begged leave to ask 
if Christians, who should adventure in supplying this 
demand, were not as sure of profit on their industry 
and investments as the man of secular enterprise ? 
What says our blessed Saviour on this point? u Sell 
whatever thou hast, and distribute to the poor, (or 
destitute,) and thou slialt have treasure in heaven,” 
What says the apostle Paul ? “ He which soweth 

sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which 
soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 

In view of the wants of men, of human accounta- 
bility, and the rich promises of God, there are, said 
Mr. T., those who do their duty; and to show 
the nature and results of Christianity, when consci- 
entiously acted out by obedient disciples of Christ, 
he wished to adduce a few instances of Christian li- 
berality and devotedness, and to hold them up for 
the respect and imitation of the meeting. There 
are two young men now living in England, who were 
officers of the king’s guards, and who obtained a 
furlough to enable them to visit France, and plunge 
into the excesses and dissipation of its voluptuous 
capital. Here, in an hour of ennui , one of them 
took up a Bible, which his mother had placed in his 


27 


trunk, and the Spirit of God came down, owned and 
blessed the precious truths to the conviction and 
conversion of this young man in the solitude of his 
chamber. Like a true convert, he immediately felt 
a solicitude that his friend should also taste and see 
that the Lord is gracious. He warned, entreated, 
and prayed with him, until he also relented and sub- 
mitted to the Saviour. Thus these two young men, 
amidst so much temptation, in the midst of Paris, 
were brought to see their sinfulness, to repent, and 
to believe in the Son of God. They delayed not to 
inquire with Saul of Tarsus, “ Lord, what wilt thou 
have me to do? ? ’ They returned to England, and 
commenced an active course of self-denying service 
and of Christian liberality. The first, with an an- 
nual income of ten thousand pounds, devotes the 
whole to the service of his Master; and the other, 
with an annuity of £600, contrives to live on £25, 
and puts the remainder into the treasury of the 
Lord. 

Take another instance, said Mr. T. A religious 
merchant in England became so strongly impressed 
with the duty of great exertions and sacrifices to 
spread the gospel, that he resolved to relinquish 
business, consolidate his property, purchase annuities 
for himself and family, and consecrate himself and 
his all to the service of Christ. He purchased an 
annuity of ,£1000 — then went to the missionary so- 
ciety, and offered the money, or himself, wife, and 
three children, to the cause of the Redeemer, under 


28 


its patronage. The society chose the latter. After 
studying divinity he went to Persia, in the service 
of the society, where he now lives at his own charge, 
performing the duty of an active missionary, and 
gathering around him many zealous Christians from 
England, who are aiming to introduce Christianity 
into that extensive empire. 

I will now, said Mr. T., request the attention of 
the meeting to a few examples of Christian benevo- 
lence in our own country, and in persons of humble 
life. In a church in the city of New York, where 
the members are obliged to support the institutions 
of the gospel with great efforts, there is a woman who 
sits daily in the market, and who gives $37 a year 
to defray the expenses of public worship. In the 
same church is a journeyman shoemaker, who gives 
$52 a year for the same purpose; and he has lately 
enrolled himself with the city watch, in order that 
he may earn more to give to the treasury of the Re- 
deemer. There is an apprentice to a mechanic, who 
who lays by $10 per annum; and a widow with two 
daughters^who support themselves by needle-work 
and washing, (one of them also teaching little chil- 
dren,) who give annually, $54. All these give, be- 
sides, according to their ability, to other objects of 
Christian benevolence. 

Mr. T. said he was derirous that such examples 
of liberality and labour in the cause of the Saviour, 
should be imitated ; and being the son of a mechanic, 
and himself a merchant, he felt a freedom in addressing 


29 


these two classes, particularly as he knew there were 
many in the meeting^ Christ relies upon you, said he, 
to furnish the meai^ to enable ministers of the gospel 
and their coadjutors to carry on the great object of 
Christian benevolence in our land. Permit me to 
appeal to you, observed Mr. T., whether holiness 
to the Lord is inscribed upon all your acquisitions? 

Is it your aim to promote the glory of God when you 
build houses, freight ships, form partnerships, and 
invest money in stocks? Do you consider yourselves 
as stewards of the Lord, and do you hold yourselves 
ever in readiness to give an account of your steward- 
ship? We all know what it is to settle with an agent 
— what an exactness is required in statements of re- 
ceipts and disbursements, and in producing vouchers. 
Are we prepared this day to go up to the judgment 
bar, and render our account for the property, influ- 
ence, and talents entrusted to us by our omniscient 
Judge? 

Rich Christians, said Mr. T., are often sadly per- 
plexed with the question, how much of their income * 
they are obliged to put into the treasury of the Lord? 
Shall I, say they, give a tenth, or a seventh part? 
And the community is often to esteem those extraor- 
dinarily benevolent who expend upon their families, 
in private charity, and in the benevolent institutions 
of the day, the whole of their income. But in what 
part of God’s word, said Mr. T., do rich Christians 
find a precept for such stinted charity? He denied, 
he said, the right of any professor to accumulate 


30 


property for self indulgence, pride of family, the 
support of an establishment, or even to bequeath to 
his children. Christianity requires that we shall use 
up our property as we acquire it, and it is a decep- 
tion of Satan, when Christians hoard wealth, un- 
der the pretence of holding it as stewards of the 
Lord. The time will come when such a person, as 
an opulent Christian, will not exist in the church. 

Who, said Mr. T., does not honour the disinter- 
estedness of Wesley, the head of that denomination 
which has been so ably represented here this after- 
noon, who refused expending for himself and family 
more than ^£28 a year, and thus was enabled to give 
away during his life, the large amount of ^030, 000! 
And who can omit reverencing the devoted liberality 
of a lately deceased Christian in the state of New 
York, who was willing to lay down his property, the 
whole of it, at the apostles’ feet? Contrast such de- 
votedness with that of a late distinguished citizen of 
this country, an officer of an evangelical church, 
who, after a series of years of great liberality, as it 
was called, died in possession of nearly a million of 
dollars, a third of which he bequeathed to a son, an 
officer of a Unitarian church; who with such ample 
means, may do more to pull down the cause of evan- 
gelical religion than his father ever did to build it up. 

There must be, said Mr. T., a revolution in the 
minds and hearts of the disciples of Jesus Christ, on 
the subject of stewardship, and many striking ex- 
amples must be made, of consecration of property, 


31 


time, talents, and influence, to the advancement of 
his kingdom. It is^iot enough, that those who have 
solemnly covenant^ to renounce “the world, the 
flesh, and the devil,” give part, or the whole, of the 
interest of their fortunes towards evangelizing the 
world; but they mus't not say that aught of the 
things which they possess are their own. Let it be 
remembered, that one man, who consecrates all he has 
to the service of the Saviour, actually does more 
good than ten men, who give, of time and property, 
only half as much, and who rise but little over the 
mass of men, in devotedness to Christ. 

In the late revivals, said Mr. T., God has brought 
into the church many men of talents, influence, and 
wealth, among our lawyers, physicians, merchants, 
manufacturers and mechanics. It is natural that they 
should look to older Christians for examples of holy 
living and use of property. They will see Christi- 
anity reflected from brethren longer in the church 
than themselves. What a tremendous responsibility 
then rests upon those who are to serve as models to 
the thousands of young converts who have recently 
been added to the church of Christ. Those who are 
preparing for the ministry will look to ministers to 
see how they conduct in ecclesiastical assemblies, in 
the desk, and in the walks of life ; young merchants 
and mechanics, whom God may prosper, will be apt 
to imitate older brethren in their donations, and la- 
bours, for the cause of their Divine Master. Let 
Christians who thus possess influence, maintain a 


32 


high standard of action, and all the young converts 
will flock to it, for they will evUSfollow the brightest 
examples. It is so in the temperance cause, and will 
be thus in every cause of righteousness and holiness. 

When Christians are awakened to their duty, and 
act consistently, remarked Mr. T., then will be 
answered the prayers of our pious forefathers, who, 
on their first touching these shores, knelt down on 
Plymouth rock, and besought God that they might 
have a godly seed ; that generations might succeed 
them who would honour and serve Him, while the 
sun and moon should endure. Then will men act as 
would Paul, Brainerd, Martyn, Bissell, and Evarts, 
if they were this day to return to earth, and with the 
light of eternity, again to engage in the busy scenes 
of life. Then shall we accelerate the approach of 
the millenium; the rising sun of Christianity will 
attain its meridian in our day ; the world will be cir- 
cumnavigated with Christian influence, 

“ Till, like a sea of glory, 

It spreads from pole to pole.” 


